Private sector
State and local government
Certain DoD schools
Certain tribal schools

90

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

15

OSHA

But for

International Safe Container Act (ISCA) (1977) [46 U.S.C. § 80507]. Protects employees from retaliation for reporting to the Coast Guard the existence of an unsafe intermodal cargo container or another violation of the Act. 29 CFR 1977

60

Private sector
Local government
Certain state government and interstate compact agencies

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) (1974) [42 U.S.C. § 300j-9(i)]. Protects employees from retaliation for reporting violations of the Act, which requires that all drinking water systems assure that their water is potable as determined by the Environmental Protection Agency. 29 CFR 24

30

Private sector
Federal, state and municipal
Indian tribes

30

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

30

ALJ

Motivating

Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) (1972) [33 U.S.C. § 1367]. Protects employees from retaliation for reporting violations of the law related to water pollution. This statute is also known as the Clean Water Act. 29 CFR 24

Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (1976) [15 U.S.C. § 2622]. Protects employees from retaliation for reporting alleged violations relating to industrial chemicals currently produced or imported into the United States and supplements the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Toxic Release Inventory under Emergency Planning & Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA). 29 CFR 24

30

Private sector

30

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

30

ALJ

Motivating

Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA) (1976) [42 U.S.C. § 6971]. Protects employees from retaliation for reporting violations of the law that regulates the disposal of solid waste. This statute is also known as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. 29 CFR 24

30

Private sector
Federal, state and municipal
Indian tribes

30

No

Yes

No

Yes

No

30

ALJ

Motivating

Clean Air Act (CAA) (1977) [42 U.S.C. § 7622]. Protects employees from retaliation for reporting violations of the Act, which provides for the development and enforcement of standards regarding air quality and air pollution. 29 CFR 24

Energy Reorganization Act of 1974) (ERA) [42 U.S.C. § 5851]. Protects certain employees in the nuclear industry from retaliation for reporting violations of the Atomic Energy Act. Protected employees include employees of operators, contractors and subcontractors of nuclear power plants licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and employees of contractors working with the Department of Energy under a contract pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act. 29 CFR 24

180

The statute provides coverage of NRC contractors and subcontractors; NRC licensees and applicants for licenses, including contractors and subcontractors; agreement state licensees and applicants for licenses from agreement states, including their contractors and subcontractors; and DOE contractors and subcontractors. The ARB has held that the statute covers the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a licensee of the NRC, since Congress included a broad “sue or be sued” clause in the Act that created the TVA. However, ARB case law indicates federal sovereign immunity likely bars investigation of ERA complaints filed against the NRC and DOE themselves and does bar investigation of ERA complaints filed against any other federal agency that does not have a “sue or be sued” clause like the TVA or other clear waiver of sovereign immunity.

30

365

Yes

No

Yes

No

30

ALJ

Contributing

Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR21) (2000) [49 U.S.C. § 42121]. Protects employees of air carriers and contractors and subcontractors of air carriers from retaliation for, among other things, reporting violations of laws related to aviation safety. 29 CFR 1979

Companies registered under §12 or required to report under §15(d) of the SEA and their consolidated subsidiaries or affiliates, contractors, subcontractors, officers, and agents, and nationally recognized statistical rating organizations

Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA) [49 U.S.C. § 20109]. Protects employees of railroad carriers and their contractors and subcontractors from retaliation for reporting a work-place injury or illness, a hazardous safety or security condition, a violation of any federal law or regulation relating to railroad safety or security, or the abuse of public funds appropriated for railroad safety. In addition, the statute protects employees from retaliation for refusing to work when confronted by a hazardous safety or security condition. 29 CFR 1982

180

Railroad carriers and their contractors, subcontractors, and officers

60

210

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
250K Cap

30

ALJ

Contributing

National Transit Systems Security Act (NTSSA [6 U.S.C. §1142]. Protects transit employees from retaliation for reporting a hazardous safety or security condition, a violation of any federal law relating to public transportation agency safety, or the abuse of federal grants or other public funds appropriated for public transportation. The Act also protects public transit employees from retaliation for refusing to work when confronted by a hazardous safety or security condition, or refusing to violate a federal law related to public transportation safety. 29 CFR 1982

180

Public transportation agencies and their contractors and subcontractors, and officers

Manufacturing, private labeling, distribution, and retail employers in the United States

60

210 or
within
90
days
of
OSHA
finding

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

30

ALJ

Contributing

Affordable Care Act (ACA) (2010) [29 U.S.C. § 218c]. Protects employees from retaliation for reporting violations of any provision of title I of the ACA, including but not limited to discrimination based on an individual’s receipt of health insurance subsidies, the denial of coverage based on a preexisting condition, or an insurer’s failure to rebate a portion of an excess premium. 29 CFR 1984

180

Private and public sector employers

60

210 or
within
90
days
of
OSHA
finding

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

30

ALJ

Contributing

Seaman's Protection Act (SPA) [46 U.S.C. § 2114]. Protects seamen from retaliation for reporting to the Coast Guard or another federal agency a violation of a maritime safety law or regulation. Among other things, the Act also protects seamen from retaliation for refusing to work when they reasonably believe an assigned task would result in serious injury or impairment of health to themselves, other seamen, or the public. 29 CFR 1986

180

Private-sector and State and local government employers—vessel on which seaman was employed must be American-owned (including U.S. Flagged), as defined; world-wide coverage

60

210

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
250
K
Cap

30

ALJ

Contributing

Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA) (2010) [12 U.S.C. § 5567]. Protects employees performing tasks related to consumer financial products or services from retaliation for reporting reasonably perceived violations of any provision of title X of the Dodd-Frank Act or any other provision of law that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, or any rule, order, standard, or prohibition prescribed by the Bureau. 29 CFR 1985

180

Any person engaged in offering or providing a consumer financial product or service, a service provider to such person, or such person’s affiliate acting as a service provider to it

60

210 or
within
90
days
of
OSHA
finding

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

30

ALJ

Contributing

FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) (2011) [21 U.S.C. § 399d]. Protects employees of food manufacturers, distributors, packers, and transporters from retaliation for reporting a violation of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or a regulation promulgated under the Act. Employees are also protected from retaliation for refusing to participate in a practice that violates the Act. 29 CFR 1987

180

Any entity engaged in the manufacture, processing, packing, transporting, distribution, reception, holding, or importation of food

60

210 or
within
90
days
of
OSHA
finding

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

30

ALJ

Contributing

Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) (2012) [49 U.S.C. § 30171]. Protects employees from retaliation by motor vehicle manufacturers, part suppliers, and dealerships for providing information to the employer or the U.S. Department of Transportation about motor vehicle defects, noncompliance, or violations of the notification or reporting requirements enforced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or for engaging in related protected activities as set forth in the provision. 29 CFR 1988